In the 13-year period of 2005 through 2017, canines killed 433 Americans. Pit bulls contributed to 66% (284) of these deaths. Combined, pit bulls and rottweilers contributed to 76% of the total recorded deaths. | More »

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Omaha Firefighters Receive Dangerous Pit Bull Training

Who's Next on the List? Omaha, NE - Letter carriers, policemen, SWAT teams, U.S. marshals and now firemen are getting trained to deal with aggressive pit bulls. Who's next on the list? We imagine all Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT). These dogs are so dangerous that often times EMTs are ordered to "stay in their vehicles" and not rescue potentially dying victims if an aggressive pit bull is on the scene. This dying victim could be your child or grandmother.

"The Omaha Fire Department has a new training program to help firefighters deal with dangerous dogs at rescue scenes. OFD called for the training after a number of incidents over the summer in which crews had to deal with angered pit bulls. "We can't render first aid to the patient until we get past the pit bull itself, or any other dog," said Omaha fire Capt. Jim Gentile."

If one thinks the pit bull and dangerous dog problem does not directly affect one's taxes and livelihood, this person is very wrong. Shelters across the country are loaded up with these dogs. Private and government Animal Services Directors, such as Jere Alexander, want to lob more of these animals into our neighborhoods. In the instance of Alexander, her department went as far as "losing" a vicious dog ticket after the animal attacked 5 children as well.

Policymakers must take action now.

It is time for policymakers to grapple with the very serious problem of violent dog attacks, mainly attributed to pit bull type dogs. Dangerous dog laws nationwide need to be rewritten and fast. It's unacceptable to have a "domesticated" pet that requires special training by multiple first responder teams because the animal attacks so violently and so often. It's unacceptable that innocent citizens must suffer the devastating results of these attacks too.

Speaking from experience, the typical scenario for firefighters and medics will rarely, if ever, permit the time to mess with a damn catch pole. I know for a fact we’ll never have such a thing on our rigs. PD responds to all calls when available, and pit bulls will be managed the same way they’ve always been. If they can’t be quickly corralled and barricaded with things immediately at hand, they’re either taken head on with a spanner wrench or shot by PD. The notion there would ever be enough time or people for public relations catch pole artistry is laughable.

I’ll add my amazement at how many heroin addicts, who are frequent flyers for our Narcan program, will choose a pit bull. Nothing says “Idiot!” louder than a user in respiratory arrest being guarded by a pit.

Once a department has committed to catch poles, the next step is to respond them to pit bull incidents where injuries may not exist or the information is unclear. Now you’re committing engine companies and medic units, who for legal reasons will not be available for other calls, even if the dog is only at large. You don’t want your engine company hung up in a cat rescue evolution when they may be needed for legitimate rescues and the idea of catch poles on emergency rigs for pit bulls is the same kind of stupid.

Shame on this Chief for not putting his foot down. Ban these ugly beasts and be done with this nonsense.

They’re not afraid to run into a burning building, but a pit bull can be a problem. The dog made it difficult for Kenosha Firefighters to fight a fire on 23rd Avenue overnight. The dog was eventually put into a police squad, allowing the firefighters to fight the house fire.